Handheld Ultramobile Gizmos

Bearing an uncanny resemblance the Dish Network's PocketDISH, Microsoft recently revealed their new hand held, ultra portable device, with a 7-inch video screen. While not direct competitors in the strictest sense, both the PocketDISH from Dish Network and the Origami from Microsoft share an overlapping functionality in a number of areas. For example, both can store and play photos (400,000 photos with the PocketDISH), both devices can show video content, and both can play video games. The PocketDISH is primarily designed as a take anywhere solution, to enable the viewer to watch television content downloaded from Dishnetwork onto its 40 GB hard-drive. It can also record content from a number of devices, including a DVD player. The industry reaction has been varied since Microsoft released the details of its new gizmo. Until its debut, there was much mystery and speculation surrounding what functions the device would actually perform. The details and product were finally revealed at the CeBit electronics show in Hannover, Germany.

For someone in the geek crowd, living the digital lifestyle, it is fairly easy and perhaps a bit comical, to envision someone with a mobile phone in one hand, toting a laptop in the other, a PDA sticking out of a pocket, listening to a MP3 player. Now we add to this scene an Origami that is poised to insinuate itself into the nether regions between the functions of the PDA and the laptop computer. It has a celeron processor, runs windows XP--the tablet version, and has a 60 GB hard-drive. There is no keyboard, and it won't fit your pocket, although it is ultra light weighing round two-and-one-half pounds.

Experts think, and Microsoft is aware, that this device could take a couple of years to gain mainstream acceptance. A number of other manufacturers are planning improvements, such as the addition of a keyboard, longer battery life, and a method of docking with other computers. GPS capability is seen as a potential add on as well.

For someone primarily interested in storing and sharing photos, listening to music files, and watching video content, the PocketDISH from Dishnetwork seems like a more logical choice. The cost of the Origami will likely be twice that of the PocketDISH, and they both come in a seven-inch display screen. Origami can play videos, and video games, but the battery life is suspected to be too short for some users--less than hours approximately. As portability issues become increasingly important in our changing world, devices like this will find their way into the fabric of our lives. There are other devices already on the market that consumers will likely purchase first, if only because of price. The Origami will also be competing with devices such as the Blackberry, the Treo from Palm, the PlayStation portable and the ubiquitous iPod. As the competition between these devices heats up, it should make for an interesting battle, and the Origami may take its place alongside the PocketDISH as an everyday appliance.